Over four weekends in March and April, members of Darebin Climate Action Now (DCAN) and Yarra Climate Action Now (YCAN) conducted doorknocking and street stalls in the Batman electorate. Volunteers spoke to over 500 people from Reservoir, Preston, Northcote, Fairfield, Alphington and Clifton Hill about their views on the development and funding of large scale solar power in Australia. The surveys are part of a campaign by 100% Renewables to have 10,000 conversations about Big Solar in 50 electorates around Australia.

The results of polling of 417 people in Batman show overwhelming support for the building of large scale solar power plants in Australia from both the relatively high and low income parts of the electorate.

This polling shows that Martin Ferguson is out of touch with voters in his own electorate. While Mr Ferguson is talking up the development of coal and gas, and talking down renewable energy (to the point of lying about its ability to provide baseload power and lying about its price, twice), his constituents want to see Australia transition to renewable energy.

The results (see below) have been sent to Martin Ferguson, and we await his response.

Big Solar poll – Results

The table below outlines the results from our polling. In summary, 87% of people support the building of large-scale solar in Australia, and 91% support government funding for this sort of project.

Yes

No

Don’t know/ not sure

1. Did you know about the large scale solar power plants being
built in other parts of the world -like this one? [show picture
of Concentrating Solar Thermal (CST) power plant in Spain]

Clifton Hill (n=112)

67%

31%

2%

Northcote, Alphington, Fairfield (n=100)

68%

30%

2%

Preston, Reservoir (n=206)

42%

55%

3%

Total all locations (n=418)

55%

43%

2%

2. [After explanation of CST] Do you think we should be building
these solar plants in Australia?

Clifton Hill (n=114)

87%

3%

11%

Northcote, Alphington, Fairfield (n=100)

98%

0%

2%

Preston, Reservoir (n=206)

82%

4%

14%

Total all locations (n=420)

87%

3%

10%

3. Last year the government set up a new $10 billion fund to
support investment in projects like this. Do you support this
kind of government funding for big solar?

Clifton Hill (n=111)

92%

3%

5%

Northcote, Alphington, Fairfield (n=100)

99%

1%

0%

Preston, Reservoir (n=206)

86%

5%

9%

Total all locations (n=417)

91%

3%

6%

* An additional 95 people signed up as supporters of the campaign to build Big Solar in Australia but
did not complete the survey.

Below is an unedited list of the hundreds of messages that were sent to Martin Ferguson by the people we surveyed.

Big Solar poll – Batman residents’ messages for Martin Ferguson

Reservoir (door-knocking)

1. Have an open mind to solar. You need to broaden your horizons and look to the future. Coal is going to get phased out. There needs to be a plan already. We should be exploring more solar power.

2. It sounds like a better idea to build solar.

3. Solar power is a great source of energy, and we should utilise this great gift, which can last forever.

4. We need to consider that [solar power] and stay away from nuclear.

5. Think of our kids- cos we’ve seen what nuclear power does in Japan and Russia and the coal only pollutes the air.

6. I think solar is good because it saves money.

7. Solar demands inclusion as an option to supplement existing coal power. I’m all for wind turbines and bio-energy.

8. Need to put efforts into sustainable energy sources.

9. Build big solar!

10. Get with it. Surprised [you are] not already building big solar.

11. Should explore it. Would create jobs.

12. Build big solar.

13. Get with the program. It’s the future, and better than digging up and burning coal.

14. Get rid of carbon tax – harness natural resources.

Preston (door-knocking):

1. We should have more rebates for solar for sure. We should invest in large scale solar instead of coal.

2. We have a huge area in central Australia. You’re not going to run out of sun and wind.

3. You should start with Ministry of Housing houses for solar power – to help the strugglers.

4. I’m an electrician – we should build more like the one in Echuca. It’s free energy. You’ll make your money back.

5. Put solar panels on Ministry houses.

6. More should be being done. Fossil fuels are old technology and harmful to the environment.

7. Energy should be more natural, solar is more natural than using coal or nuclear power.

8. Renewable energy is the way of the future if we want sustainable environment.

9. Renewable energy will be good for the environment, but we want our money to be used wisely.

10. 1If we had more efficient solar panels or solar energy it would be better for the environment, and the economy, but it needs to be affordable to the general population.

11. Reliance on unsustainable big business is bad news!

12. It’s unsafe not to go something free of emissions. I vote in your electorate and I want big solar, not fossil fuels power.

13. Yes …I’ve written to [Martin] before. I think [big solar] is exactly the kind of thing we should be looking for. Commitment to unsustainable energy sources is disappointing. Australia is one of the last countries in the world to do this. We should be reading the world.

14. Burning fossil fuel is clearly environmentally dangerous to all living things (bad cycle). We should have been looking at clean sources to fuel our energy needs from the beginning. Please fund this for everyone’s sake.

15. Use the people’s money wisely.

16. Solar should be supported as long as the project location is suitable.

17. Should be giving reduction or rebate for local solar rooftops and not as much money into coal fired.

18. Solar is the best renewable!

19. [Put] funds into research for clean energy.

20. Please listen to your constituents, we want clean energy.

21. Please support clean energy for the people of Australia.

22. Renewable energy is the way to go.

23. The government should spend money on lots of things not just solar.

24. Please read the facts. You need better advisers, Martin.

25. Solar is an investment into the future. The old methods of supplying power are out-dated.

26. I’d like to see you support greener energy sources. It has to happen eventually.

27. We want our children to have a future in an industry that is sustainable. BZE have proved both economically and environmentally sound. Job creation wise, there is no ethical reason why we should be using coal at all. Renewable energy is the future for working class Australia.

28. Renewable energy reliance needs to be increased as part of a broader strategy, reducing out overall reliance on coal.

29. I do not support anything that is robbing our country of our resources. Start helping the low income people with affordable energy.

30. I don’t support anyone who is opposing solar and wind projects, which is good for nature and doesn’t emit carbon. We [should] promote wind and solar.

31. Better to support big solar rather than [coal] as solar is better for the environment.

32. [You] should be doing more to support investment in solar.

33. We should fund sustainable power.

34. This [large scale solar] is cheaper than photo-voltaic

35. Create a stable power environment to provide right environment for investment.

36. The clean energy board should have representation across the board.

37. Build big solar, we need it. It’s clean.

38. It will save a lot of money in the future.

39. Everything relies on us getting it right. We have to move away from fossil fuels. We’ve got so much renewable energy, let’s use it!

40. It’s time to give more money to Big Solar!

41. In the long run, it will be more economical to build big solar.

42. Solar is the future.

43. Solar power should be for the future (it’s not relevant in my [elderly] age group).

44. I am a fan of nuclear power, but it has to be run properly.

45. We have to look after the atmosphere, because I have twin boys.

46. [You] should not be blocking solar power. Solar should be widely used.

47. Well planned alternative energy is a must for our future.

48. I support solar energy for the future.

49. We need renewable and sustainable energy sources for our kids, and do it now. Build the infrastructure before mass need.

50. If solar power plants can reduce energy bills…

51. Be open minded about other energy sources.

52. You are wasting money on new coal fired power plants.

53. Think more long term than more short term; that wins votes.

54. About time we went solar.

55. It’s imperative that we invent and support new technologies to take us into the 23rd century, and not look backwards at the things we’ve always done. Now is the time.

56. I don’t understand why Australia doesn’t even do it.

57. Why aren’t they putting the finance into the solar industry?

58. We need to start moving away from coal to renewable energy sources.

59. Explore alternative opportunities.

60. Pull your finger out and do something about it.

61. Let’s now waste time on gas, go Blues!

62. Solar power needs to improve efficiency.

63. Build more solar power plants Martin.

64. We want more investment in renewables.

65. Solar and wind power are cleaner, can run for a longer time and no radiation.

66. I am in support of renewable energy.

67. Who pays your way? Coal and mining industry, or the people of Australia? You’re a traitor to Labor, and the people of Australia.

68. There are other alternatives to coal.

69. Cost of living is increasing day by day, so please do something in regards to solar energy. Solar energy is a renewable resource; this will help in reducing the bills of people. Help HH to play his bills.

70. Australia is full of sunshine, so why hasn’t the government capitalised on this? Why drag your feet behind other countries?

71. Please do the best thing for the future of Australia and the children of the planet. Solar energy please!

74. We want more attention to be paid to the things that will keep the environment safe for future generations.

75. Look after the people and the country – the best nation in the world!

76. [You] should reconsider [your] stance. Nuclear power is not environmentally viable.

77. Bring on solar power!

78. Renewables are the future. You’re a dinosaur, Martin!

79. Renewables is a good step to take.

80. Invest in renewables instead of expanding coal.

81. I’m all for renewables.

82. Support and expand renewables.

83. Open your eyes!

84. I think wind and solar power are the future. Eventually we don’t have gas – even nuclear is not for ever and you leave a mess.

85. If USA is making them, then we should too. It’s going to be cheaper. Wind and solar – it’s always free.

86. Nuclear is cheap but very dangerous (I come from Europe and I know) Solar is good – never ending – good for the environment.

87. We sell coal to China and India – that’s politics. We like solar power, but we need government support for solar panels. We have lots of wind and solar. It’s good long term but difficult now – we need to sell resources to pay for it.

88. I’m not for nuclear power.

89. I can’t see why [Big Solar] can’t work. It makes sense!

90. Should build more solar power plants.

91. They do this and it just rips us off. They can do it but not out of our pockets.

92. We should be building solar power plants in Australia.

93. Alternative energy sources need to be considered.

94. I’m not into funding or supporting coal.

95. I support a balanced approach.

96. Don’t put it in heritage or Aboriginal land. We should be building these in Australia!

19. Politicians should listen to those who have the knowledge about the environment rather than people who have the money.

20. We’ve been subsidising brown coal for decades. It’s time we put our money into clean energy like big solar!

21. Having worked all over the world, I believe that it would behove you and be in your best interest to use renewable energy instead of the coal burning and gas energy. Think about it! We need real action on climate change, not more subsidies for the coal and gas industries.

22. Get on with it now!

23. Govt. needs to do more to protect the environment and provide clean energy for the future and [our] grandchildren.

24. Get rid of support for nuclear and coal and association with big business. Get on with clean energy which makes jobs.

25. Get on with Big Solar.

26. We need to change to clean energy now!

27. Solar energy should be given resources and research funding equivalent to other electricity production.

28. Think of the future and the environment and get on with it!

29. Should be looking at ALL renewables – Coal is [a] finite and filthy resource.

Clifton Hill (door-knocking)

30. Use solar as well. Government needs to build something impressive like the Snowy Mountain scheme.

31. Emphasis on fossil fuels all about business. All short-termism. Need to think more long term.

32. We don’t want nuclear. We don’t want coal. Time to catch up!

33. He’s an idiot. Not very smart. Not in touch with his electorate.

34. Pull your head out of your arse. Do your research.

35. Not coal, gas or nuclear. Support renewables!

36. Stop supporting dirty industries.

37. I can’t stand you!

38. Build big solar now.

39. 100% in support of solar power.

40. Take the opportunity while you have this portfolio to get solar energy off the ground.

41. Use it for clean energy – solar power is free and clean and we have so much land for this!

42. We need to invest in renewable industries. The $10b should be used in that fashion rather than supporting the old industries.

Around forty people spent last Saturday afternoon doorknocking in Clifton Hill and North Fitzroy as part of the 100% Renewables campaign. Doorknocking happened in around 40 neighbourhoods and towns all over Australia capping off a few months of action, where ordinary people knocked on the doors of their neighbours and gathered 20,000 conversations about renewable energy.

Yarra Climate Action Now and Darebin Climate Action Now collected over 500 surveys, or ‘conversations’, in the inner-north of Melbourne, covering the federal seats of Melbourne and Batman. We found overwhelming support for a transition to 100% renewable energy, not only for climate reasons but also because renewable energy creates jobs and will reduce the price of electricity. While a carbon price was supported, it was clear that additional measures like a large scale feed-in tariff are urgently needed to build more wind and solar thermal energy plants.

Well done to the many doorknockers and thanks to the local residents who spoke to us. Your voices will be heard in Federal Parliament at the end of June, when independent Rob Oakeshott tables the 20,000 surveys. We will also deliver the results for each electorate to the individual political representatives, and full results will be posted on this website when they are available.

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YCAN will be knocking on doors, surveying Clifton Hill residents on their attitudes to renewable energy on Saturday 28 May for 2 hours. This event is part of the national 100% renewable energy campaign, which is aiming to collect 20,000 surveys across Australia to be tabled in Parliament by Independent Rob Oakeshott in June.

We need lots of people to help reach our target of 500 surveys. Training and materials will be provided. Sign up online or contact us for further information.

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The Athol Gill Centre in Clifton Hill (100 Hodgkinson St) is hosting a fantastic weekend of community events on global warming, 22-24 October.

.

Friday 22 October 7pm – Meet the Candidates

Richard Wynne MP (Labor)
Kathleen Maltzahn (Greens)
Stephen Jolly (Socialist)
Liberal candidate invited.
Come and hear state electoral candidates engage with issues concerning climate change and the environment. The evening will include Q+A and focus groups which will contribute to a report to be submitted to local council and all political parties..
This is a chance to have your input and for your voice to be heard.

.

Saturday Morning – Family Fun

Saturday Afternoon – Business and Community Interaction

2-5pm, 23 October.

An expo of business and communities groups who are each working towards creating a green earth..
Come and meet with with different people already doing it:
– learn about share car options in your area
– sign up for an organic food co-op
– find great ideas for Christmas presents that help others and the environment

Sunday Morning – A Humane Response

10am, 24 October, Come and hear Deborah Storie address the impact of climate change on the world’s most vulnerable..
Deborah Storie is Deputy Chair of the TEAR Board, and a member of the Program Review Committee, which makes decisions about funding allocations to established TEAR partners. A former TEAR fieldworker in Afghanistan, Deb travels regularly to TEAR projects in a monitoring and advisory capacity.

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Sunday Afternoon – Sustainable Lunch

12pm, 24 October.

To wrap-up the weekend festival there will be a community lunch which will feature foods and picnic equipment that are kinder on our environment. Come along for some great food and pick up some tips and recipes for your next picnic..
For further information click here.

This week Yarra City Council took a stand for sensible action on the climate crisis, passing (six votes to two) a motion calling for Hazelwood power station to be replaced with renewable energy within the next term of the Victorian parliament. The motion also called for the scrapping of the proposed HRL Dual-gas coal-fired power station, which the State Government is currently supporting. See below for the full text of the motion and background information.line

Yarra Climate Action Now worked with Socialist Party councillor Steve Jolly on developing the motion, which was subsequently strengthened by Greens councillor Sam Gaylard. It was supported by the Greens, Socialist Party and independent councillors Fristacky and Smedley. Two Labor Party councillors voted against the motion without giving any good reason for doing so, while Yarra Mayor, Jane Garrett, also a Labor Party member, was mysteriously absent from the vote.line

YCAN is pleased that Yarra City Council has stood up for its residents and urged the other levels of government to urgently reduce Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions. We congratulate the councillors that passed this motion. We would also like to express our anger and frustration with the Labor councillors who voted and argued against it. At a time when the Brumby Government is desperately trying to create some green credentials, this vote has shown that Labor is still deep in the pocket of the coal industry.line

In other news, at the same council meeting, the YCAN Local Action Group had yet another win, presenting a submission to Council on the Carbon Neutral Action Plan, which received commendation from the councillors and some points of which were acted upon immediately.line

(a) whilst acknowledging the State Government’s Climate Change Bill 2010, sets a target to reduce emissions by 20% below 2000 levels by 2020, and key initiatives to reach that goal, it is recognised that these targets and actions are not sufficient for Victoria to play its part in avoiding runaway climate change, and are lower than Yarra City Council’s own targets;

(b) supports the replacing of all of Hazelwood brown coal power with renewable energy within the next term of the Victorian Parliament, and In this regard, Council suggests that the State and Federal Governments adopt plans similar to those put forward by Beyond Zero Emissions or Greenpeace that provide detailed, practical and timely implementation strategies for the transition to renewable energy;

(c) urges the State and Federal Governments to expedite policies and funding to achieve this end;

(d) also calls upon the State Government to reject a proposal by Dual Gas to build a new coal power station in the Latrobe Valley which proposes new gasification technology which does not even meet the average emissions intensity of power plants in the OECD; and

(e) write to the Prime Minister, Victorian Premier, Victorian and Federal Energy Ministers, and the Victorian and Federal Opposition Leaders and local members to advise its position.

CARRIEDline

Background

Hazelwood Power Station is responsible for almost 15% of Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions and 3% of Australia’s. It consumes 27 billion litres of drinking water per year – enough to supply Melbourne’s water needs for a month. It takes just four days for Hazelwood to cancel out the entire year’s worth of emissions saved by Victorians though the 5-star energy efficient homes program. That’s 650,000 black balloons every minute. Hazelwood is Australia’s most polluting power station and one of the most polluting in the industrialised world.

Hazelwood Power Station was due to be closed in 2009. However, after privatisation in 1996, in 2005 the State Government extended its coal allocation out into the 2030s.

The climate science is clear that there is already too much carbon in the atmosphere to prevent runaway warming. We urgently need to stop emitting carbon and remove it from the atmosphere.

There are renewable energy alternatives to coal-burning that are commercially available now. Wind and baseload solar thermal power can replace coal, and Victoria has these resources in abundance. The work of the University of Melbourne Energy Institute and Beyond Zero Emissions clearly shows that Hazelwood can be replaced with a mix of these technologies within a few years. Basing the manufacturing of these renewable energy components in the Latrobe Valley can ensure that workers in coal-burning areas can transition to other quality jobs.

Victorian greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise alarmingly. Replacing Hazelwood with renewable energy is the first step in the necessary shift to zero emissions technologies that will ensure Victoria’s energy security and productivity.

Here in the seat of Melbourne, Adam Bandt won his party’s first ever lower house seat (in a general election) with a massive 13% increase in the Green primary vote (to a total of 36%) and a 10% swing from Labor to Greens two-party-preferred. Nationally the Greens gained about 11.5% of the primary vote, an increase of almost 4% from last election, by far the biggest gain for any party.

It also seems like the Greens will win 5 or 6 senate spots, meaning they may win one in every state. In Victoria Richard Di Natale has been elected to the Senate with a full quota of votes. The Greens will hold the balance of power in the Senate.

Both Labor and the Greens said that climate change was the biggest issue in the seat of Melbourne.

In The Age, losing Labor candidate Cath Bowtell said, “…clearly they [voters of Melbourne] want us to work faster on reducing carbon emissions and moving to a cleaner-energy economy.”

This result doesn’t bode well for inner-city State MPs, who are facing an election in three months. The Brumby Government will have to vastly improved its climate policies if it doesn’t want to lose seats to the Greens.

We hope this result encourages some soul-searching in the Labor Party. With both big parties offering no leadership to tackle the climate crisis, more and more people will keep turning to the Greens. We hope all parties heed the signs at this election and greatly improve their climate policies.

Yarra Climate Action Now is proud to have been a part of the Vote Climate campaign in the seat of Melbourne. Our work helped make a difference in this seat and helped the party with the best climate policies win! Well done to everyone involved.

Come and hear about climate change science and solutions at Truth & Lies, a presentation by Climate Code Red co-author David Spratt at Northcote Town Hall (189 High St, Northcote) on Wednesday 23 June from 7.00–9.00pm (snacks from 6.30pm).

Brought to you by Darebin Climate Action Network, Yarra Climate Action Now and Alphington Community Centre.

For more information email YarraCAN@gmail.com

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Richard Wynne, our beleaguered State Labor Government Member of Parliament, feeling his political mortality and searching for some environmental credibility in the absence of any useful environment policies invited his constituents to a ‘City West Water’ shower head exchange on a suburban street corner in Clifton Hill. A number of YCAN friends and supporters showed up in response to this invitation to remind him of the climate and environment issues the ALP wants Australians to forget. This was YCANs first action as part of the combined ‘Replace Hazelwood’ campaign. Wynne and his staffers were extremely unhappy to see us and enthusiastic responses from passing drivers to the ‘Honk for Urgent Climate Action’ sign visibly irritated the shower head exchange team making it all the more worthwhile for those of us on the other side of the street. Thanks to all who participated and especial thanks to Mic Rosenbrock for the terrific video.

Hear Pemba Dorje Sherpa, holder of the world record for the fastest climb of Mount Everest, talk about his experience of global warming in the Himalayas. He is joined by environmental lawyer and activist Prakash Sharma, Pro Public Nepal.

Global warming is already having a big impact on Mount Everest and the Himalayas. Glaciers are melting creating floods and danger for the local people. But the big melt also means a big dry as these ‘water towers’ of Asia lose their capacity to provide water to the giant rivers in the summer months. Eventually rivers like the Ganges in India and the Yellow River in China will lose their dry season flow and the billion people in these river basins will lose their water security.

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About YCAN

Yarra Climate Action Now is made up of people who want to see much stronger action on climate change. We are an independent community group based in the inner Melbourne suburbs of the City of Yarra. Find out more about YCAN...